Oil and Gas Sector Information
Overview
The oil and gas sector is the largest energy producer in the U.S., responsible for about 74% of primary energy production. (DOE EIA)
The industry is structured into three segments:
- Upstream - focuses on oil and gas exploration, extraction, and production of crude oil and natural gas from underground wells or from surfaces shales and tars (NAICS 211).
- Midstream - involves gathering, storing, and transporting oil and natural gas via pipelines, rail, tankers, and trucks. (Various NAICS 48 subsectors)
- Downstream - operations engaged in processing and refining (NAICS 32411) crude oil into refined petroleum products (gasoline, diesel, lubricants, asphalt binders, etc.) and processing and purifying natural gas for distribution to customers.
All three segments of the oil & gas industry have regulatory responsibilities under different EPA programs offices. Other federal agencies with regulatory oversight include the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
The following links are intended to help Smart Sectors partners and the public learn more about how EPA works with the oil and gas sector.
Basic EPA Regulatory Information
- Oil and Gas extraction laws, regulations and enforcement information
- Petroleum Refineries laws, regulations and enforcement information
- EPA Guidance Document Portal
EPA Resources
- Natural Gas STAR overview of the oil and gas industry
- ENERGY STAR energy efficiency in petrochemical manufacturing — ENERGY STAR is an EPA voluntary program that helps businesses save energy and money.
- ENERGY STAR energy efficiency in petroleum refining
- SmartWay Transport — EPA’s SmartWay Transport program helps companies advance supply chain sustainability by measuring, benchmarking and improving freight transportation efficiency. Any company or organization that ships, manages or hauls freight in its operations can become an EPA SmartWay Partner.
- Sustainable Materials Management Prioritization Tools —Free, life cycle-based tools that offer a starting place to establish priorities for environmental improvement, focus limited financial and human resources where action could offer greater holistic benefit, and consider key industries for collaboration.